30 Free Amigurumi Animal Patterns for Beginners

Amigurumi animals are the friendliest first projects in crochet. A round body, two eyes, a stitched smile, and suddenly you have a bunny for a baby shower, a fox for a bookshelf, or a shark for a little ocean lover. This collection brings together 30 free amigurumi animal patterns from Little Loop Finds, every one of them an original design written in US terms.

Each pattern below links straight to the full written instructions on our site, with materials, stitch counts for every round, and assembly steps. Pick a favourite, grab some worsted weight yarn, and start with the animal that makes you smile.

Shop the supplies for these patterns

Want to make these? These are the supplies I recommend for these projects. If you buy through the links below, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Inscraft 52 Acrylic Yarn Skeins Kit - 52 colors, 1,820 yards of acrylic yarn, plus 2 crochet hooks, 2 weaving needles, 10 stitch markers and a tote bag.

Yarniss 20 Size Crochet Hooks Set - 20 ergonomic hooks from 0.5mm to 10mm with soft-grip handles, plus yarn needles, scissors and stitch markers in a travel case.

Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber Fill, 32 oz - The standard stuffing for amigurumi and ornaments, soft, machine-washable and made in the USA.

XKDOUS Safety Eyes for Crocheting, 6-18 mm, 8 Sizes - 130 black safety eyes in 8 sizes with washers, for amigurumi animals, dolls and ornaments.

Crochetta Crochet Kit for Beginners, 6 Hanging Potted Plants - Beginner kit with 12 yarn colors, stuffing, hooks, safety eyes and step-by-step video tutorials.

Hearth and Harbor 73-Piece Crochet Kit for Beginners - 15 yarn skeins, 21 ergonomic hooks, tote bag and instruction guide, a complete starter bundle.

MAGIMUSE Crochet Kit for Beginners, Mushroom Family - Beginner amigurumi kit with yarn, hook and step-by-step video tutorials.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Key Takeaways

• 30 free original patterns: every animal in this list is a Little Loop Finds original design, written in US terms, and completely free.
• Beginner friendly: most animals use a magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases, with a stitch count at the end of every round.
• One evening each: most animals take 2 to 4 hours, so you can finish one in an evening or over a weekend.
• Made to gift: animals make wonderful birthday gifts, baby shower gifts, nursery decor, and stocking stuffers.
• Every pattern is linked: each section below links to the full pattern, so you can jump straight to the animal you want.

Table of Contents

• Before You Start
• Free crochet bunny pattern: cream amigurumi rabbit
• Free crochet fox pattern: rusty amigurumi fox
• Crochet panda bear pattern: free amigurumi panda
• Free Crochet Dinosaur Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Dino
• Free crochet dragon pattern: baby dragon amigurumi
• Free Pattern for Crochet Unicorn: Magical Plush
• Axolotl Crochet Pattern (Cute, Free)
• Crochet Turtle Patterns: Easy Amigurumi Turtle Plush
• Crochet Shark Pattern (Free Amigurumi)
• Crochet Fish Pattern (Free Amigurumi)
• Crochet Frog Pattern (Free, Amigurumi)
• Free crochet cat pattern: ginger tabby amigurumi kitty
• Crochet Weiner Dog Pattern: Amigurumi Dachshund Tutorial
• Free crochet chicken pattern: plump amigurumi hen
• Free crochet goat pattern: adorable farm amigurumi
• Free crochet moose pattern: cuddly woodland moose
• Free Crochet Tiger Pattern (Easy Amigurumi)
• Crochet Wolf Pattern Free: Adorable Amigurumi Pup
• Free Raccoon Crochet Pattern: Cute Bandit Amigurumi
• Free snail crochet pattern: slow and sweet amigurumi
• The reversible mood octopus kids love
• Mini Octopus Crochet Pattern: Tiny Amigurumi Friend
• Free Crochet Dolphin Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush
• Free Crochet Otter Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush
• Free Crochet Mouse Pattern: Adorable Amigurumi Mouse
• Crochet squirrel pattern free: cute amigurumi squirrel
• Free Crochet Pattern Hippo
• Crochet Piglet Pattern Free (Amigurumi)
• Highland cow crochet pattern: fluffy amigurumi coo
• Polar bear crochet pattern: cuddly arctic plush
• Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Most amigurumi animals in this list use the same small kit: worsted weight yarn, a 3.5 mm to 5.0 mm hook, polyester stuffing, safety eyes, a tapestry needle, and stitch markers. Work in continuous rounds and keep your stitches firm, so no stuffing shows through. A stitch marker in the first stitch of each round keeps your counting honest.

Choose smooth yarn in light or medium colours for your first animal, because it is easier to see your stitches. Save dark and fuzzy yarns for later, when your hands know the rhythm. And read the finished size on each pattern before you start, so you buy enough yarn for the animal you want.

Free crochet bunny pattern: cream amigurumi rabbit

A soft cream bunny with long floppy ears and a pink stitched nose, made in simple single crochet rounds. It works up quickly in worsted weight yarn and makes a gentle gift for a baby shower or a first birthday. The full pattern gives the body, ears, face, and assembly in order.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet bunny pattern: cream amigurumi rabbit

Free crochet fox pattern: rusty amigurumi fox

A rusty orange fox with a white belly, pointed ears, and a big fluffy tail. The colour changes are simple and the shaping is all single crochet, so it is a good second or third amigurumi. The full pattern covers the body, tail, ears, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet fox pattern: rusty amigurumi fox

Crochet panda bear pattern: free amigurumi panda

A black and white panda with round ears and dark eye patches, worked in the round with almost no sewing beyond the ears and arms. It uses only two yarn colours and reads as a panda from across the room. The full pattern has the stitch counts for every round.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet panda bear pattern: free amigurumi panda

Free Crochet Dinosaur Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Dino

A friendly green dinosaur with a row of little spikes down its back and a smiling face. The spikes are simple crocheted triangles, and the body is one piece worked from the nose to the tail. The full pattern walks through the body, spikes, legs, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Dinosaur Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Dino

Free crochet dragon pattern: baby dragon amigurumi

A small baby dragon with a curled tail, tiny wings, and a sweet face, made to sit on a shelf or a desk. The wings are flat and quick, and the body uses the same increase and decrease rhythm as the other animals here. The full pattern gives each part with stitch counts.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet dragon pattern: baby dragon amigurumi

Free Pattern for Crochet Unicorn: Magical Plush

A pastel unicorn with a spiral horn, a flowing mane, and long legs, made for birthdays and little dreamers. The horn is a simple cone worked in the round, and the mane is made from strands of yarn. The full pattern covers the body, horn, mane, ears, and legs.

Get the full free pattern: Free Pattern for Crochet Unicorn: Magical Plush

Axolotl Crochet Pattern (Cute, Free)

A pink axolotl with frilly gills and a wide smile, one of the most popular amigurumi animals right now. The gills are small flat pieces, and the body is a simple tube shape, so it is quicker than it looks. The full pattern has the gills, body, tail, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Axolotl Crochet Pattern (Cute, Free)

Crochet Turtle Patterns: Easy Amigurumi Turtle Plush

A slow and steady turtle with a textured shell, four little legs, and a friendly face. The shell uses a simple stitch pattern that looks much fancier than it is. The full pattern gives the shell, body, legs, and head.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Turtle Patterns: Easy Amigurumi Turtle Plush

Crochet Shark Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

A classic great white style shark with a grey top, white belly, dorsal fin, and tail fin. It is worked in the round from nose to tail, and the fins are sewn on at the end. The full pattern has every round counted and the fins explained step by step.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Shark Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

Crochet Fish Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

A bright little fish with a round body, fins, and a smiling face, perfect for an ocean themed nursery or a bath time toy. It is one of the fastest animals in this list and a great first amigurumi. The full pattern covers the body, fins, tail, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Fish Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

Crochet Frog Pattern (Free, Amigurumi)

A green frog with big eyes, long legs, and a wide smile, ready to sit on a lily pad or a bookshelf. The eyes are made from two small balls, and the legs are simple tubes. The full pattern gives the body, eyes, legs, and smile.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Frog Pattern (Free, Amigurumi)

Free crochet cat pattern: ginger tabby amigurumi kitty

A ginger tabby kitty with striped ears, a long tail, and a sweet face. The stripes are made with simple colour changes, and the body is worked in one piece. The full pattern has the body, ears, tail, and face with stitch counts.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet cat pattern: ginger tabby amigurumi kitty

Crochet Weiner Dog Pattern: Amigurumi Dachshund Tutorial

A long dachshund with a brown body, floppy ears, and short legs, made to lie along a shelf or a sofa arm. The long body is simple single crochet worked in the round. The full pattern is a step by step tutorial with the body, ears, legs, and tail.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Weiner Dog Pattern: Amigurumi Dachshund Tutorial

Free crochet chicken pattern: plump amigurumi hen

A plump little hen with a red comb, a yellow beak, and a round body, perfect for a farm themed nursery or an Easter basket. The comb is a small scalloped piece, and the body works up in an evening. The full pattern covers the body, comb, beak, wings, and feet.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet chicken pattern: plump amigurumi hen

Free crochet goat pattern: adorable farm amigurumi

A sweet goat with little horns, floppy ears, and a friendly face, made for farm animal lovers. The horns are small cones, and the body is a simple amigurumi shape. The full pattern gives the body, horns, ears, legs, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet goat pattern: adorable farm amigurumi

Free crochet moose pattern: cuddly woodland moose

A soft moose with broad antlers, a gentle face, and a sturdy body, ready for a woodland nursery. The antlers are flat pieces made in rows, and the body is worked in the round. The full pattern covers the body, antlers, ears, legs, and muzzle.

Get the full free pattern: Free crochet moose pattern: cuddly woodland moose

Free Crochet Tiger Pattern (Easy Amigurumi)

An orange tiger with black stripes, round ears, and a bold face. The stripes are simple colour changes worked into the rounds, so there is no extra sewing for the markings. The full pattern has the body, stripes, ears, tail, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Tiger Pattern (Easy Amigurumi)

Crochet Wolf Pattern Free: Adorable Amigurumi Pup

A grey wolf pup with pointed ears, a white muzzle, and a bushy tail. It uses the same body shape as the fox, with different colours and a longer snout. The full pattern gives the body, ears, muzzle, tail, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Wolf Pattern Free: Adorable Amigurumi Pup

Free Raccoon Crochet Pattern: Cute Bandit Amigurumi

A masked raccoon with a striped tail, grey fur, and a curious face. The mask is made with a simple colour change around the eyes, and the tail uses alternating stripes. The full pattern covers the body, mask, tail, ears, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free Raccoon Crochet Pattern: Cute Bandit Amigurumi

Free snail crochet pattern: slow and sweet amigurumi

A little snail with a spiral shell, a soft body, and two tiny antennae, made for a garden shelf or a child's pocket. The shell is a simple spiral worked in the round. The full pattern has the shell, body, antennae, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free snail crochet pattern: slow and sweet amigurumi

The reversible mood octopus kids love

A reversible mood octopus with a happy face on one side and a sleepy face on the other, made to flip inside out. The tentacles are curly chains, and the body is a simple dome. The full pattern explains the reversible trick and the tentacles.

Get the full free pattern: The reversible mood octopus kids love

Mini Octopus Crochet Pattern: Tiny Amigurumi Friend

A tiny octopus that fits in the palm of a hand, with a round head and eight curly tentacles. It is the quickest animal in this list and a great scrap yarn project. The full pattern gives the head, tentacles, and face in a few short rounds.

Get the full free pattern: Mini Octopus Crochet Pattern: Tiny Amigurumi Friend

Free Crochet Dolphin Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush

A smiling dolphin with a curved body, a dorsal fin, and a tail fluke, made for ocean lovers. The body is worked in the round with gentle shaping, and the fins are small flat pieces. The full pattern covers the body, fins, fluke, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Dolphin Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush

Free Crochet Otter Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush

A sweet otter with a round belly, small ears, and a playful face, made to sit on a desk or a bedside table. The belly patch is a simple oval, and the body is worked in the round. The full pattern gives the body, belly, ears, tail, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Otter Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush

Free Crochet Mouse Pattern: Adorable Amigurumi Mouse

A small grey mouse with big round ears, a long tail, and a pink nose. The ears are flat circles, and the tail is a simple chain. The full pattern covers the body, ears, tail, and face with stitch counts.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Mouse Pattern: Adorable Amigurumi Mouse

Crochet squirrel pattern free: cute amigurumi squirrel

A bushy tailed squirrel with a rusty body, a cream belly, and a big fluffy tail. The tail is made with a simple loop stitch, and the body is worked in the round. The full pattern has the body, tail, ears, and face.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet squirrel pattern free: cute amigurumi squirrel

Free Crochet Pattern Hippo

A chunky hippo with a wide smile, big ears, and a round body, made for hugs. The body is mostly one piece, and the ears are small half circles. The full pattern gives the body, ears, muzzle, and legs.

Get the full free pattern: Free Crochet Pattern Hippo

Crochet Piglet Pattern Free (Amigurumi)

A pink piglet with a snout, floppy ears, and a curly tail, ready for a farm themed room. The snout is a small oval, and the tail is a short chain curled into a spiral. The full pattern covers the body, snout, ears, legs, and tail.

Get the full free pattern: Crochet Piglet Pattern Free (Amigurumi)

Highland cow crochet pattern: fluffy amigurumi coo

A fluffy highland cow with a shaggy fringe, long hair, and little horns, one of the cutest animals in this list. The fringe is made with loop stitches, and the body is a simple round shape. The full pattern gives the body, fringe, horns, ears, and legs.

Get the full free pattern: Highland cow crochet pattern: fluffy amigurumi coo

Polar bear crochet pattern: cuddly arctic plush

A white polar bear with a soft snout, round ears, and a cuddly body, made for winter gifts and arctic nurseries. The snout is a small oval in a slightly darker shade. The full pattern covers the body, snout, ears, arms, and legs.

Get the full free pattern: Polar bear crochet pattern: cuddly arctic plush

More free patterns to try

Looking for more? These free patterns are also on the site and worth a look.

• Free Crochet Ferret Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Plush - a long tube-body ferret amigurumi.
• Free Crochet Mushroom Pattern: Cute Amigurumi, Free - a red-capped mushroom with white spots.
• Free Crochet Bee Pattern: Cute Amigurumi Bee, Free - a striped bumblebee with wings.
• Crab Crochet Pattern Free: Cheery Amigurumi Crab - a cheery crab with a cream belly.
• Woodland Nursery Mobile Crochet Pattern: Amigurumi Cascade - a fawn, fox, hedgehog, rabbit and bear on a covered hexagon frame.
• Free Hammerhead Shark Crochet Pattern: Amigurumi Plush - a wide-headed hammerhead with a pale belly panel.
• Shih Tzu Crochet Pattern Free: Fluffy Amigurumi Dog - a fluffy pup with brushed floppy ears and a topknot bow.
• Free One Piece Crochet Teddy Bear Pattern: Easy Amigurumi - legs, body and head in one continuous piece.
• Dog Bandana Crochet Pattern (Free, Easy) - a soft triangular bandana for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest amigurumi animal for a beginner?

The fish and the mini octopus are the easiest animals in this list. Both use a simple round body, a few small parts, and almost no colour changes, so you can finish one in a couple of hours. Start with one of those, then move on to the bunny or the fox.

What yarn is best for amigurumi animals?

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice for most of the animals here, because it works up quickly and the stitches are tight enough to hold the stuffing inside. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend shows clean stitch definition and washes easily. Avoid fuzzy yarns for your first animals, because they hide the shaping.

How long does one amigurumi animal take?

Most animals in this list take 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size and the number of parts. Small animals like the mini octopus and the fish take about 2 hours, while bigger animals like the moose and the highland cow take closer to 4. The full pattern for each animal gives a time estimate.

Are these patterns really free?

Yes, every pattern in this list is completely free, and every one is an original Little Loop Finds design written in US terms. Click any link above to open the full written pattern, with materials, stitch counts, and assembly steps.

Can I sell animals made from these patterns?

Yes, you may sell finished animals made from these free patterns, with credit to Little Loop Finds. Please do not sell or republish the pattern text itself.

What hook size should I use for amigurumi?

Use a 3.5 mm to 5.0 mm hook for worsted weight yarn, or one size smaller than the yarn label suggests. The goal is a firm fabric with no stuffing showing through, so test a few rounds first and go down a hook size if you can see the stuffing.

Happy stitching, and may your next amigurumi animal find a good home on a shelf, in a gift basket, or in a little pair of arms.

Starting out? Beginner kits

New to amigurumi? These kits include everything in one box: yarn, hooks, stuffing, eyes and video tutorials. If you buy through the links below, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

MINGOMINGO Crochet Kit for Beginners, 6 Animal Amigurumi - Six cute animals to crochet, with yarn, stuffing, eyes and video tutorials.

Katech Crochet Kit for Beginners with Bag - Beginner kit with hooks, yarn, bag and instruction book.

Piccassio Crochet Kit for Beginners, 20 Yarn Colors - Complete starter set with 20 yarn colors, hooks, learn-to-crochet book and organizer bag.

Yarniss Crochet Kit for Beginners with Bag, 1,120 Yards - 16-color yarn kit with 14 ergonomic hooks and an organizer bag.

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